Novartis Says U.S. Probes Sales Practices

Novartis, Europe’s third-biggest drug maker, said U.S. prosecutors are investigating its marketing and sales practices as part of a wider probe into the industry.

The Justice Department is looking into sales of pumps and nutritional products fed through tubes to patients, and the inquiry could result in criminal charges. Switzerland-based Novartis is cooperating with the investigation, according to a company filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

A Novartis spokesman didn’t return phone calls for comment.